Refurbishment work to Nelson House, Upper Church Lane, Tipton, has now commenced on site to designs by Urban Design and Building Services.
This brings the total number of refurbished high rise blocks to 35 over the last 10 years.
The 9 storey block, containing 34 no. flats, was constructed during the early 1960’s and is of a concrete frame with brickwork and blockwork cavity wall infill panels.
The work will include a new pitched roof to replace the current flat roof, aluminium/timber composite windows and balcony doors, new balcony rails with tinted glass panels, a positive ventilation system, external insulated cladding, remodelled front and rear entrances and landscape works which will see the construction of an additional car parking area, disabled car parking spaces together with an extensive planting scheme.
Internally, corridors and communal areas will receive low energy LED lighting operated by passive infra-red sensors, decorated with fire retardant paint and will receive new floor finishes. Individual flats will receive new flat entrance doors.
A number of proposals for the elevational treatment to the blocks, prepared by Urban Design, have been put to the tenants at a consultation event and the colours of the render and cladding panels have been selected
Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, cabinet member for housing, said: “I’m delighted this work is finally going ahead. It’s long overdue for tenants here and we appreciate their patience. Not only will the renovation create better homes for the people living here, it will also lengthen the building’s lifespan and improve its appearance.”
Lovell is carrying out the makeover for Sandwell Council and work is programmed to be completed in June 2017.
